Solid Wastes

Over the years, an increasing volume and variety of solid waste has been generated on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. Solid and Hazardous waste issues and water contamination have rated as the major environmental problems facing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The Tribe has struggled with identifying enough funding and resources to close old dumps, establish compliant landfills and waste sorting facilities, eliminate illegal dumping, purchase adequate equipment, train personnel to appropriate standards, and educate the community on proper disposal procedures. The solid waste problems also contribute to surface water and groundwater contamination. Improper disposal of solid and hazardous wastes often find its way into surface water runoff and groundwater migration pathways with potential to contaminate drinking water. Inadequate methods of managing solid waste can create conditions that threaten the public health, safety and welfare of Tribal member and residents of the Rosebud Reservation by contributing to land, air and water pollution, and to other problems impacting public health and the environment.

The members of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe have a primary interest in the protection and control of the land and other natural resources affected by the improper disposal of solid waste within the Rosebud Reservation. The Tribe has implemented an Integrated Solid Waste Management approach that will use a variety of complementary practices to safely and effectively handle municipal solid wastes. A major component of implementing the Integrated Solid Waste Management approach has been updating and finding ways to enforce solid waste codes and ordinances.

The pictures below are of the current construction of an additional cell at the Rosebud Sioux Tribe - Carter Landfill:

The Solid Waste Program provides collection services throughout Todd and Mellette Counties for various tribal and non-tribal residential and commercial customers. As the demand for service increases in the coming years the Rosebud Sioux Tribe will be taking a proactive approach in developing and implementing solutions such as:

Educating people on the benefits of waste minimization
Continue to reduce the amount of of illegal dumping
Construction of a Transfer and Waste Sorting Facility
Holding household hazardous waste cleanup events
Recycling and Re-Use options

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe operates and maintains a small-capacity RCRA Subtitle D landfill. This Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) receives household waste. It can also receive non-hazardous sludge, industrial solid waste, and construction and demolition debris. The facility must comply with the federal regulations in 40 CFR Part 258 (Subtitle D of RCRA), or equivalent state regulations. Federal MSWLF standards include:

Location restrictions—ensure that landfills are built in suitable geological areas away from faults, wetlands, flood plains, or other restricted areas.
Composite liners requirements—include a flexible membrane (geomembrane) overlaying two feet of compacted clay soil lining the bottom and sides of the landfill, protect groundwater and the underlying soil from leachate releases.
Leachate collection and removal systems—sit on top of the composite liner and removes leachate from the landfill for treatment and disposal.
Operating practices—include compacting and covering waste frequently with several inches of soil help reduce odor; control litter, insects, and rodents; and protect public health.
Groundwater monitoring requirements—requires testing groundwater wells to determine whether waste materials have escaped from the landfill.
Closure and post-closure care requirements—include covering landfills and providing long-term care of closed landfills.
Corrective action provisions—control and clean up landfill releases and achieves groundwater protection standards.
Financial assurance—provides funding for environmental protection during and after landfill closure (i.e., closure and post-closure care).

Certain materials are banned from disposal at this facility including common household items such as paints, cleaners/chemicals, motor oil, batteries, and pesticides. Leftover portions of these products are called household hazardous wastes. These products, if mishandled, can be dangerous to your health and the environment. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe takes great strides to ensure that any potential hazardous wastes or items that are classified as hazardous waste under the RCRA Hazardous Waste Regulations are removed prior to landfill disposal.

"THIS FACILITY IS A RESTRICTED USE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL AND DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY HAZARDOUS WASTES"

For more information on laws and regulations please visit the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Wastes at http://www.epa.gov/osw/.

Containers/Packaging: This includes cans, jars, bags, bottles, boxes, and wrapping materials. Containers and packaging form the biggest product category.

Non-durable Consumer Goods: These goods are called nondurable because they are not meant to last a long time. This category includes many paper products such as newspapers, magazines, and paper towels. This category also includes clothing and disposable dinner plates

Durable Consumer Goods: The goods in this category are called durable because they are meant to last a long time. This category is made of many bulky and oversized items like washing machines, old furniture, and rubber tires.

Yard Wastes: This category is made mostly of grass clippings, but it also includes dead plants and bushes, branches blown down by the wind, and even dirt.

Food Wastes: This is what you didn't eat for dinner or the mysterious green gunk in the dish in the bottom of you refrigerator.

For more information regarding solid wastes and services provided by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Solid Waste Office call the Office of Water Resources at (605) 747-2559.